“Hey,” he said, calming her. “Never again will we let someone get between us. Pepper instigated much of the friction between you and me and we fell for it.” He leaned his elbows on her bed and left his chair behind, his beautifully battered face close enough for her to taste his breath on her lips. “I promise you. Never again.”
That sense of déjà vu rose in her again. She closed her eyes, remembering. “You were whispering to me, weren’t you? When we were on the ground?”
He inhaled roughly. “I was … had to keep you awake, my love.” He hung his head. “I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost you.”
She touched his grizzled face with her hands then leaned her forehead onto his. “I’m crazy about you.”
“I know.”
She laughed, tears rolling down her face as she pulled back. “What do you mean, you know?”
Jackson’s laughter sprang to life, followed by deep wincing.
“Oh no. I’m sorry.” She dipped her chin, frowning. “It’s not a cliché, is it? It really does hurt to laugh.”
He chortled. “Stop. You’re killing me.”
“Don’t ever say that.”
His smile evaporated. He took her fingers in his hands and pressed them to his lips one by one, the scrape of fresh whiskers comforting her with each and every kiss.
Chapter 26
Two months later
* * *
Meg paced the hospital’s linoleum-lined hall, tears still fresh in her eyes.
Jackson’s husky voice interrupted her thoughts as he jogged down the corridor toward her, his hands full. “Is she okay? Is … everyone okay?”
Meg threw her arms around him and held on tight. “Yes! Liddy’s great—and Beau Jr. is absolutely gorgeous!” She pulled away, sniffling, and glanced at the stuffed animal with the floppy ears in Jackson’s hand. “Who’s this?”
He gave her a sheepish grin. “A bunny … for the baby.”
She laughed now and threw her arms around his neck, staring up at him. “You are the sweetest.”
He grinned. “I bet you say that to all the bunny-toting men you meet.”
Behind them, someone cleared their throat.
They both swung around to find Beau standing there with a smile as wide as the sea. Jackson stuck out his hand. “Congratulations, Dad!”
Beau shook his hand heartily. “Thanks! Best day of my life. I’m just out here trying to find a signal for my phone. Time to call the grandparents.”
“Here,” Jackson said, and handed Beau a box. “For later.”
Meg groaned. “Cigars? Really?” She shook her head, cracking up. “Will Ricky and Fred be showing up soon, too?”
Beau reached for the box and gave Meg a sympathetic smile. “Sorry. It’s tradition.” He turned back to Jackson. “Thanks for these. I’ll share one with you later. I have to run now, but the nurse will be bringing the baby back to Liddy soon. Sticking around?”
Jackson slid an arm around Meg. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
After he’d gone, they walked down the hall, stopping at the nursery viewing area where two babies slept in their bassinets. They watched the tiny peaceful faces in silence until Jackson finally said, “I have more good news to give you today.”
“Tell me.”
“Well, it’s nothing as spectacular as new life,” he said. “But … since fraud has been proven and Pepper’s in jail, the credit card company has agreed to refund all the money she stole from us.”
Meg gasped, squealed, and turned toward him, pressing two fists together. “This … this is a miracle! I can’t believe it.”
He nodded. “This will give us time to start over in so many ways. I can’t wait to call Sophia with this news. Her heart was so broken over all that transpired.”
“I am so happy for you both.”
“For us, you mean.”
“Well, yes. For you and Sophia and the staff at the inns. So much to look forward to.”
He moved closer to her, his grin slightly devilish.
She quirked a smile at him. “What?”
He reached for her, cradling her face in his hands until their eyes were inches apart. “I said ‘for us’ and I meant it. Care to cap this great day off by making me the happiest man to walk the planet?”
A rush of fresh tears filled her eyes, and her voice teased. “Whatever do you mean?”
He kissed her forehead, then rested his face against hers, their noses touching. “Marry me,” he whispered.
She smiled, closed her eyes, and gave him her answer.
Epilogue
“I’m so happy that you decided not to get married in a suit.” Deena fussed with wavy strands of hair that cascaded down Meg’s collarbones. “This gown is lovely.”
Liddy leaned her head onto Deena’s shoulder and smiled at her best friend, a vision of silk and beaded pearls. “You make a beautiful bride, Meggy. Sorry I’ll be so fat in your photos.”
“Would you both please stop? Liddy, you’ve lost your baby weight already!” The light in Meg’s eyes belied her scolding tone. She jiggled her perspiring hands in the air to cool them off. “I’m so nervous.”
“You should be,” Trace said, a blue garter dangling from her forefinger. “Talk about catching a big fish. Jackson’s man-o-licious, if you ask me. You’ll want to work out just to keep up with all that gorgeousness. And learn about facial peels, too. Good thing the spa is in the works.”
Deena cocked her head at Trace, her eyes squinting. She made a sweeping motion with her hand.
“Oh please. Jackson can’t take his eyes off you, Meg—and he never will.” Liddy’s usually teasing voice caught, and her voice lowered to a cracked whisper. “I’ve never seen a man more in love.” She smiled wide, but her eyes glimmered. “Well, other than my Beau.”
At a knock on the door, all four women looked up. Lucky peered in. “Okay if I join your party?”
Meg’s chest squeezed, lingering thankfulness for the woman who’d proven she was much more than her name. She held out her hands. “Get in here, my friend.”
Lucky rushed in and took both of Meg’s hands in hers, standing back to assess. “Woo! You clean up well! Makes me almost want to get married someday.”
Peels of giggles and laughter filled the bridal suite at Sea Glass Inn. How often had she spent the night as manager-on-duty in a suite like this, one hand on her phone in case an emergency occurred in the middle of the night? That kind of stress had been replaced with a joy unfolding. She gazed at the treasured sea through imposing windows, sparkle and light reflecting on the tide. She’d always been too practical for fairy-tales—until she took a starring role in this one.
Liddy turned to Lucky. “Is everyone here?”
“That’s what I came to say. Yes, everyone.”
One of Meg’s brows rose.
“Yes! Sophia is here!” Lucky gushed. “I know that’s what you were wondering.”
Meg clasped her hands beneath her chin and turned to Liddy, smiling. “I’m ready now. You?”
Her best friend and matron of honor pulled her in close and kissed her on the cheek. “Are you kidding? I’ve been praying for this day for years.” She fanned herself with her hand. “Oh my gosh. Now let’s get out there before all of my makeup’s gone and my milk lets down.”
On their way to find their seats, Lucky and Trace ushered Liddy to her place at the back of the small chapel, the first of many upgrades to Sea Glass Inn. As the first notes of piano music played, Deena turned to her daughter. Her mother’s expression resonated with love and warmth, like she had never seen. “Before we go, I’d like you to carry this,” her mother said, a vibrant purple hanky in her hand. “It was your father’s.”
Meg’s eyes filled for the umpteenth time and her hands reached out. “Daddy’s?”
“Yes. He wore it at our wedding and I’ve held onto it all these years. It’s your ‘something borrowed,’ but you can keep it.”
Meg was overcome. She took the silk handk
erchief and rubbed it between her thumb and forefinger, memorizing its softness. She tucked it into her sleeve, wanting to keep this reminder of her father close. In the months since returning to the inn, Meg had gained years’ worth of memories about her father. He’d been a kind and giving man, unlike the impression her mother’s lack of photos and mention of him all those years had given her.
“His passing was always too difficult for me to talk about,” her mother had explained. “I had no idea, though, that my silence had shaped your memories of the man he was.”
The first few notes of Pachelbel’s Canon played. Meg dried her tears and touched her sleeve, the one holding a piece of her father, to her heart. She offered her arm to her mother, who gently slipped her hand through it.
“Ready?” Deena asked.
Meg answered, “More than ever.”
* * *
Jackson closed his hand tighter around Meg’s, a part of him confirming the reality of this magical night. Meg had married him—Jackson Riley—and not a thing existed that could wipe the goofy smile from his face.
He led her around the dance floor, thankful for more than his mind could fathom, beginning with a father who had longed to prepare him for life and love. Jackson had been young and impetuous, unready to lead. His father had known this, and in his own gentle, prodding love for his son, had sent him away to save him from his own destruction. Now, he knew, he was ready.
He brought their entwined hands to his mouth and kissed her fingers. “I suppose we’ll have to dance with others now.” He longed to stay in this embrace, surrounded by a melody.
Her dark eyes captivated him. “Only for tonight. After this, every dance is mine. Promise?”
“I promise.”
The music changed and he felt a tap on his shoulder. “May I cut in?”
Sophia.
Jackson kissed his bride, who turned to dance with Liddy’s husband, Beau. Then he took Sophia’s hand and whirled her around.
She threw back her chin and laughed, and in her eyes he saw their father smiling back at him. For a moment, regret traversed through him, but he refused to let it linger. She was here now, on the most important day of his life. They were family. How could he have regrets?
“She is lovely,” Sophia said with a nod in his bride’s direction. “You have been blessed.”
“Yes. Very blessed. And also to have you here. Thank you for coming all this way, Sophia.”
“I would not have missed it for the world.” She began to blink, those meadow-colored eyes pooling with tears. “Thank you for finding me … for not giving up.”
“I, too, am grateful to have found you—and for all the catching up we will do for the rest of our lives.”
She smiled at him, his big sister who seemed barely so. She was delicate, almost fragile, and Jackson became infused with the desire to protect her from further harm.
“I’ve been thinking,” she said. “I have never spent much time on the west coast.”
“Are you thinking of relocating? You know … as I’ve told you, the door is always open for you here.”
She nodded once, in that graceful way of hers. “And I have taken that to heart.”
In a rush of brotherly love, he pulled her close and squeezed her in a hug. As the song ended, Meg joined them. She embraced Sophia, who was about to dance away with a new partner. “I am so excited to finally have a sister,” Meg whispered.
Sophia hugged her back. “You do not know how deeply I have longed to hear that.”
Seconds later, Meg was back in Jackson’s arms. He cinched her close, possessively, and breathed her in. He spoke into her ear, “I love you, Mrs. Riley.”
Her laughter, like bubbles, tickled his earlobe. “And I love you back, Mr. Riley.”
He twirled her around, thankful to those who had gone before them and for all that was yet to be.
Acknowledgments
Thank you very much, Readers, for picking up this second book in the Sea Glass Inn novel series. I hope you enjoyed this story (and a bit of travel as you read!). I would like to offer you a free story to read either on your computer or e-reader. You can download the story here: www.juliecarobini.com/free-book
If you have a minute, please consider leaving a review of Runaway Tide at your favorite online bookstore. Your reviews help readers find new books!
Finally, I’m excited to tell you that Sophia’s story is on its way to you! Find Windswept, book 3 in the Sea Glass Inn novel series, in both eBook and paperback.
Many thanks also to:
My beta readers Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, Carrie Padgett, and Jennifer Vander Klipp for your insightful, kind, and honest feedback; Lauren Upshaw for graciously sharing your foot injury details with me; and Denise Harmer for your thoughtful editing.
Dan Carobini, for everything you do to encourage and love me through the writing process. Love you back. Thank you for taking me to Italy!
My kids, Matt, Angie, Emma; and my parents, Dan and Elaine—for your constant cheerleading. Angie, special thanks to you for helping me with Italian.
Tracy Higley at Stonewater Books for your support of this novel, and Brandilyn Collins for your tireless efforts toward helping readers and authors find each other.
And the Lord, for lifting my head and inspiring me to write every time I became overwhelmed.
Also by Julie Carobini
Pick up a free story for your e-reader here: www.juliecarobini.com/free-book/
Sea Glass Inn Novels
Walking on Sea Glass (book 1)
Runaway Tide (book 2)
Windswept (book 3)
Beneath a Billion Stars (book 4)
* * *
Cottage Grove Mysteries
The Christmas Thief (book 1)
All Was Calm (book 2)
The Christmas Heist (book 3)
* * *
Otter Bay Novels
Sweet Waters
A Shore Thing
Fade to Blue
The Otter Bay Novel Collection (books 1-3)
* * *
The Chocolate Series
Chocolate Beach (book 1)
Truffles by the Sea (book 2)
Mocha Sunrise (book 3)
The Chocolate Beach Collection (books 1-3)
The Spa at Winter Beach (A Seaside Novella)
Runaway Tide Page 23